Sony PSN Pass targets second-hand game buyers

Sony has confirmed it will be using a new system called PSN Pass to authenticate online access to certain new games, a move that is being seen as the company's latest attempt to undermine the second-hand games market. Resistance 3, set to be released in September, will be the first title to use PSN Pass Gamasutra reports, with further implementation being decided on a game-by-game basis.

"This is an important initiative as it allows us to accelerate our commitment to enhancing premium online services across our first party game portfolio" Sony said in a statement regarding PSN Pass. The company is yet to confirm how those gamers who either pick up titles second-hand or via gaming rental services will access the online content and services.

Game publishers have long been frustrated with the second-hand market, since they invariably fail to see any proceeds from used game sales. Some have experimented with their own equivalents of PSN Pass, usually offering online access at an extra fee. SOCOM 4: US Navy Seals, released earlier this year, trialled a system of Sony's own devising, where online access was bundled with the initial purchase but used buyers had to pay for a $15 "activation code" called SOCOM Pro.